Saddlin’ up

*Story by Julie Chang
The members of Saddle Broke are not shy when pointing out the reasons why local bands have a hard time staying together: money and band politics.

A few of the Southeast Texas band members have suffered the same issues with previous groups, but this time around, the foursome has created band harmony with a little respect and a charity.

“When we play, we play from the heart,” said Doug Asher, lead guitarist and vocals for the band.

Formed in May 2010, Saddle Broke has quickly gained local popularity through its nostalgic classic rock style melded with Southern trimmings.

The band practices in the Wasp’s Nest, a shed outfitted with hand-stapled insulating carpets, cattle skulls, shooting range targets, and a pink incense candle — a throwback to the 1960s. Their set list has some covers, but most likely none you have heard before.

What listeners can be assured of is that, like their rehearsal room on Asher’s Beaumont property, it’s all about macho rock akin to Ted Nugent, ZZ Top, and Jimi Hendrix.

“Most of our music is originals. Even if we do a cover, it’s basically an original, because we do it our way. We don’t try to copy it. We play it our way,” said guitarist Mickey Thibodeaux.

All full-time job holders, the band member’s focus has been to have a good time on stage with their music instead of making it about money. The financial pressure is eclipsed by the charity Angels for Autism, to which the band donates most of its proceeds.

The cause is close to drummer Jerry Boden, 48, of Nederland who has a 23-year-old son with autism.

“That’s our goal is to help out autistic children. If you’re going to give to a cause, why not give to a cause that works?” said Boden.

The band is also writing a song about autism to add to their first album, which they are recording now with Little Man Productions in Beaumont.

When it comes to writing music — like many of the band’s decisions — is collaborative. The men, who consider each other brothers, spend their weekly 2-hour rehearsals in the Wasp’s Nest bouncing lyrics and melodies off of each other. These bouts of productivity are often punctuated by playful banter and jabs — all of which beer, liquor and cigarettes tend to exacerbate.

But the reality of dying venues in local areas can be sobering. As much as the band enjoy playing locally, they’ve had to travel, testing marital boundaries so that fans stay entertained.

“We need more venues,” said bassist Scot Lackey. “Being a local band, you can’t play the same venues weekend after weekend because people get bored.”

But they know that their ultimate goal is to get as much recognition as possible even if that means hitting the road to play for nobody. The band has said that they once played for a waitress in a Galveston venue where nobody showed up.

That most likely will not be the case for their concert Friday at The Gig in Beaumont where they’ll be part of a three-band showcase. Their energetic set list and combined musical experience of more than 75 years will get the job done for rock fans — a duty promised in their band name.

“When a horse gets saddle broke, it comes to an understanding it’s time to go to work,” said Asher. “It’s got a job to do.”